The Brick -Michel Quoist

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1 The Brick -Michel QuoistThe bricklayer laid a brick on the bed of cement. Then, with a precise stroke of his trowel spread another layer And without a by-your-leave, laid on another brick. The foundations grew visibly, The building rose, tall and strong, to shelter men. I thought, Lord, of that brick buried in the darkness at the base of the big building. No one sees it, but it accomplishes its task, and the other bricks need it. Lord, what difference whether I am on the roof-top or in the foundations of your building, as long as I stand faithfully at the right place?

2 All slides & other links mentioned today will be made available on theWorshipAll slides & other links mentioned today will be made available on theWebsite resources page.So note taking to a minimum!Jim Seth 31/01/2015

7 The Call To Worship - WelcomeWe commend ourselves and our prayers to God as we say ALL: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. That this day and all our days may be full of God’s praise, let us pray with one heart and mind. Almighty God, by whose grace alone we are accepted and called to your service: strengthen us by your Holy Spirit and make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

8 Let us Pray Collect God of All MercyYour Son proclaimed good news to the poor,Release the captives, and freedom to the oppressed,Anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to Praise you in Christ our Lord.Amen

9 The Servant SongD G A D Brother, sister let me serve you. Bm Em A Let me be as Christ to you. G D G Em Pray that I might have the grace D Em G A D To let you be my servant, too.We are pilgrims on a journey. We are brothers on the road. We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load.I will hold the Christ-light for you In the night time of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you; Speak the peace you long to hear.

10 D G A DBrother, sister let me serve you.Bm Em A Let me be as Christ to you.G D G Em Pray that I might have the graceD Em G A D To let you be my servant, too.I will weep when you are weeping. When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow Till we’ve seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven, We shall find such harmony Born of all we’ve known together Of Christ’s love and agony.

11 ConfessionOur Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Forgive us for those times when we have done wrong, and not glorified you by our actions. your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Forgive us for those times when we have acted according to our own desires, and done what is wrong in your sight. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us for those times when we have acquired the things we need at the expense of others, who strive for a fair wage. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. that there might be peace in the world. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. that there might be justice in the world. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

12 ‘Absolution’Collect for the 21st After Trinity:Grant we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to they faithful people pardon and peace:That we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen

13 Jesus take me as I amC Dm CJesus take me as I am, I can come no other way. Take me deeper into You, Make my flesh life melt away. Make me like a precious stone, Crystal clear and finely honed, Life of Jesus shining through, Giving glory back to You.Dm C G7C Dm CC G CDm G CDm C Am7C Cmaj AmC G C

14 The CreedWe proclaim the Church's faith in Jesus Christ. We believe and declare that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both divine and human.God, of the being of the Father, the only Son from before time began; human from the being of his mother, born in the world; fully God and fully human; human in both mind and body.As God he is equal to the Father, as human he is less than the Father. Although he is both divine and human he is not two beings but one Christ.One, not by turning God into flesh, but by taking humanity into God; truly one, not by mixing humanity with Godhead, but by being one person.For as mind and body form one human being so the one Christ is both divine and human. The Word became flesh and lived among us; we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 Responsory(R)Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and be not wise in your own sight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. (R) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. (R) Amen

16 The Word of GodReadings: (Morning Prayer set for Jan 31st) First Reading Hosea 8

17 The Butterfly Song If I were an elephantI'd thank you Lord, by raising my trunk.If I were a kangaroo,You know I'd hop right up to you.If I were an octopus,I'd thank you Lord for my fine looks.But I just thank you Father for making me, me.If I were a wiggly worm,I'd thank you Lord that I could squirm.If I were a fuzzy, wuzzy bear,I'd thank you Lord for my fuzzy, wuzzy hair.If I were a crocodile,I'd thank you Lord for my great smile.But I just thank you Lord for making me, meDIf I were a butterfly,G DI'd thank You Lord for giving me wings.If I were a robin in a tree,A A7I'd thank You Lord that I could sing.If I were a fish in the sea,GI'd wiggle my tail and I'd giggle with glee,A D GBut I just thank You Father for making me, me.For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile,You gave me Jesus and you made me your child,A D G DAnd I just thank you Father for making me, me.

20 So why a song about a wild goose over a picture of a dove and a cross?

21 Let us Pray I am two beings;One is longing to serve thee utterly, And one is afraid. Response: O Lord, have compassion upon me.I am two beings; One will labour to the end, And one is….. already weary. (R) I am two beings; And one knows the suffering of this world, And one knows only their own. (R)

23 The Birds of ‘Pray’ Aside THE WHITE BIRDS by EVELYN UNDERHILL THERE was once a man who had a waking dream. He dreamed he was in a spacious church. He had wandered in to pray, and after his prayers were finished, he knelt on, his eyes open, gazing round at the beauty of the ancient building, and resting in the silence. Here and there in the great building were quiet kneeling figures. Across the dim darkness of the nave and aisles, shafts of sunlight streamed into the church from the upper windows.In the distance a side door was open, letting in scents of summer air, fragrant with the smell of hay and flowers, and the sight of trees waving in the breeze, and beyond, a line of blue hills, dim and distant as an enchanted land.Presently the man withdrew his eyes from the pleasant outdoor world and looked again at the church. Suddenly, close to the spot where he was kneeling, there was a gentle whir of wings and he saw a little white bird fluttering about in the dim nave; it flew uncertainly hither and thither, and once or twice he thought it would fall to the ground. But gradually it gathered strength, rose towards the roof, and finally, with a purposeful sweep of its wings, sped upwards, and out through one of the open windows into the sunshine.The stranger looked down again at the kneeling men and women, scattered singly throughout the building; and now he saw, what he had not noticed before, that by the side of each worshipper there hovered, close to the stone floor, a little white bird.Just then he saw another bird rise from the floor and try to reach the roof. But it, too, was in difficulties; it flew round and round in circles, occasionally beating its wings in a futile way against the great lower windows, rich with stained glass. Finally it sank down exhausted and lay still. A little later another bird rose from the ground, with a swift and easy flight; for a moment it seemed that it would reach the open window and the open air beyond; but suddenly, it whirled round, fell helplessly over and over, and came to the ground .with a thud, as if it had been shot. The man rose from his knees and went over to see what had happened; the little bird was dead.He went back to his place and sat down on one of the chairs; then he noticed an ugly little bird, its white feathers dirty and bedraggled, rise from the ground. At first this bird laboured heavily, but it soon gathered speed, for it was strong, and it soared up and out into the sunlit world beyond the walls of the great church. More and more the man wondered what all this might mean?He looked again at the persons at prayer near him, and he noticed one, kneeling very reverently, by whose side-lay a very beautiful bird, snowy white and perfectly formed but when he looked at it more closely he saw that its eyes were glazed, its wings stiff; it was a lifeless shell."What a pity!” he mur­mured under his breath. At that moment, a gentle whir of wings a few feet away attracted his attention. Another bird was rising from the ground, steadily and quietly, at first with some appearance of effort, but more and more easily and lightly as it gathered strength; this bird flew straight up, past the carved. angels which seemed to be crying " Hallelujah! " to one another across the dim spaces of the church, and out through the open window into the blue sky, where it was soon lost to sight.

24 The Birds of ‘Pray’ – page 2AsideThe Birds of ‘Pray’ – page 2Pondering on what he had seen, the man looked round again, and this 'time he saw standing close to him, an Angel, tall and strong, with a face of great kindness, wisdom and compassion.It all seemed perfectly natural (as things do in dreams), and the man whispered to him: “Can you explain to me about these white birds?""Yes," said the Angel, in a low voice, as he seated himself beside him, "for I am the Guardian of this place of prayer. These white birds are the outward sign of the prayers of the people who come here to pray.The first bird, which found it difficult to rise, but then succeeded, is the prayer of a woman who has come here straight from a very busy life; she has very little time to herself; in fact she usually comes here in the midst of her shopping. She has a great many duties and claims, and her mind was full of distractions when she first knelt down and tried to pray. But she persevered, for her heart is right with God, and He helped her; her prayer was real and her will good, so her prayer reached God.""And what about the bird that flew round in circles?” asked the man.The Angel smiled slightly, with a tinge of faint amusement. `That," he said slowly, " Is the prayer of a man who thinks of no one but himself; even in his prayers he only asks for `things '-success in his business and things like that; he tries to use God for his own ends people think he is a very religious man but his prayer does not reach God at all."But why did that other bird fall to the ground as if it had been shot? "The Angel looked sad as he replied: "That man began his prayer well enough; but suddenly he remembered a grudge against someone he knew; he forgot his prayer and brooded in bitter resentment, and his bitterness killed his prayer And the ugly little bird," he went on after a moment's silence, " is the prayer of a man who hasn't much idea of reverence; his prayer is bold, almost presumptuous, some people might call it; but God knows his heart, and He sees that his faith is real; he does really believe in God, so his prayer reaches Him.""And the beautiful lifeless bird that never stirred from the ground at all?" said the man."That," said the Angel, "is a beautifully composed prayer; the language is perfect, the thought is doctrinally correct; the man offered it with the greatest solemnity and outward reverence. . .But he never meant a word of it; even as he said the words his thoughts were on his own affairs; so his prayer could not reach God.""And what about the last bird that flew upwards so easily?The Angel smiled. "I think you know," he said gently. That is the prayer of a woman whose whole heart and will is set upon GodHer prayer went straight to God."

25 We move seamlessly into a Dissection of the Opening worshipConclusionLet us pray:In our deliberations and discussionsThrough our modelling and in our singingIn the reading and in the listeningMay we behold today the living presenceof our Lord and Saviour Jesus ChristAmenWe move seamlessly into a Dissection of the Opening worship

26 Dissection of the Opening worshipWhat were the elements in the service?Was it appropriate for the participants?Was it Anglican?Was it balanced?Which senses were stimulated?Was the Technology helpful?Did the music fit?What was missing ?

31 Worship is formative. It shapes our lives in Christ and our understanding about God. Liturgy is a structured way of making sure that connection is made.

32 Liturgy from Greek λειτουργία = ‘service to others’always encompasses the whole service with its three dimensions:human-to-human,God-to-human,human-to-GodLiturgy = ‘rite’At the heart of liturgy is an understanding of the public that goes beyond the personal encounter with God (without denying it) to the corporate drama of being the people of God, and being formed by it.

33 Gather Ye Resources While Ye MayParticularly good for short worship in Care homes etc..... And sermon illustrations!

36 Clearly StructuredAlthough it is structured it should draw us inexorably into the eternal, creative, freedom-bringing order of the kingdom of heaven.BCP, CW, Celtic, ‘Hymn Sandwich’, ‘Happy clappy’??

37 CorporateI don’t just simply bring my private worship and put it together with the personal worship of others, like eggs that happen to be in the same basket. Liturgy is more like an omelette: eggs are broken and something new results.We worship in Christ.Worship belongs to all of us, not just the leader.

38 Richly HolisticIt is an event which involves three dimensions, not just a script on a page. It should involve us body, mind and spirit.The shape of worshipposture, movement, action, clothing, symbol, ritual, ceremonial, dramaThe space usedarrangement and nature of furniture, mood set by music, lighting, smell

39 Is it ‘Anglican Worship’?A recognisable structure for worshipAn emphasis on reading the word and using psalmsLiturgical words repeated by the congregation, some of which will be known by heartUsing the Collect, Lord’s Prayer and some responsive forms in prayerA concern for form, dignity and economy of wordsDiscuss!

41 Christian UnityAsideI was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said "Stop, don't do it!" "Why shouldn't I?" he said.I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"He said "Like what?" I said "Well...are you religious or atheist?"He said "Religious." I said "Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?" He said "Christian." I said "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?" He said "Protestant." I said "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"He said "Baptist!" I said "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist church of God or Baptist church of the lord?"He said "Baptist church of God!" I said "Me too! Are you original Baptist church of God or reformed Baptist church of God?"He said "Reformed Baptist church of God!" I said "Me too! Are you reformed Baptist church of God, reformation of 1879, or reformed Baptist church of God, reformation of 1915?"He said, "Reformed Baptist church of God, reformation of 1915!" I said "Die heretic scum," and pushed him off.Move this box & the blue bar to reveal the punch line

44 Questions to ask yourselfWhen preparing to lead a servicePreliminary Questions:For whom is this service principally intended?In what season is it set?What is its particular purpose or theme?What length should it be?What style of service would be appropriate?

46 Lunch-time ChallengeEither with someone else or on your own prepare a rough plan for one or more of the following.... List what you will need to look up!An all age service for the second Sunday in February mixed congregation of about 25 in a huge church with fixed pews (There are three mums and 7 assorted children aged between 1 and 7)- one family does not attend any other service.Mothering Sunday (there is a team including a worship leader and some enthusiastic folk who love drama but you have been asked to lead it.)A school primary school Assembly (as a reader you have been asked to cover at short notice for your incumbent- who is ill and prepared nothing)

48 After Lunch Prayer Palms up, palms downPUPDWhat God has prepared for those who love him, he has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything. Therefore, let us in penitence open our hearts to the Lord, who has prepared good things for those who love him- AMEN

49 Lords Prayer – (Kum Ba Ya)Father God in Heaven, - Lord most high, Hear your children’s prayer, Lord most high, Hallowed be your name, Lord most high, O Lord hear our prayer. May your kingdom come, here on Earth, May your will be done, here on Earth, As it is in heaven, so on Earth, Give us daily bread, day by day, And forgive our sins, day by day, As we too forgive, day by day,D G A7Lead us in your way, make us strong,When temptations come, make us strong,Save us all from sin, keep us strong,O Lord hear our prayer.All things come from you, all are yours,Kingdom, glory, power, all are yours,Take our lives and gifts, all are yours,O Lord hear our prayer

50 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.John 4:24 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.Acts 16:25 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendour all day long.Psalms 71:8 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him — his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.Psalms 68:4-5 | p1

51 Light a Candle Place it with your ‘model’O God, who in the work of creation commanded the light to shine out of darkness: we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ may shine into the hearts of all your people, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and unbelief, and revealing to them the knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen.Place it with your ‘model’May your light, light our way this day as we place ourselves at your service. Amen

53 Lunch-time Challenge Response.......An all age service for the second Sunday in February mixed congregation of about 25 in a huge church with fixed pews (There are three mums and 7 assorted children aged between 1 and 7)- one family does not attend any other service.Mothering Sunday (there is a team including a worship leader and some enthusiastic folk who love drama but you have been asked to lead it.)A school primary school Assembly (as a reader you have been asked to cover at short notice for your incumbent- who is ill and prepared nothing)

54 Key point:Working with all-ages together happens in all kinds of ways in our culture.All-age worship does not mean ‘a service for children’: it means worship for whoever is present!Discovering God’s Kingdom. Growing the Church.

55 QuestionsDoes this service feel like a joyful celebration of the people of God?What is the nature and level of congregational participation?Learning Styles?Will the service have a sense of wonder and reverence?Are the elements of penitence, intercession, thanksgiving and praise all present?Continued on next slideDiscovering God’s Kingdom. Growing the Church.

56 Is the Gospel of Christ being proclaimed?What is the teaching element of the service?What expression is there of the church’s fellowship?Are there too many words?Is there too little silence?What will be the balance between the role of the presiding minister and other leaders?

57 Come on and Sellotape Peas and Some LiverKing of Glory King of PeaceTo be a PilgrimLord of the DanceEtc...Jesus Loves KristieOne Two Three Jesus Loves MeNow in Come the Animals Two by TwoArky Arky!The Butterfly SongHe’s Got the Whole World in His HandsThe Wise Man Built His House Upon the RocksChoosing Hymns Wisely

59 The Lifeboat StationA modern parable recalls us sharply to a proper sense of priorities in the church.On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude little lifesaving station. The building just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost.Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so that it became famous. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work.New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little lifesaving station grew.Some of the members of the lifesaving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building. Now the lifesaving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely, because they used it as a sort of club. Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired crews to do this work.The lifesaving motif still prevailed the club’s decoration, and there was a liturgical lifeboat in the room where the club initiations were held. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet and half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick, and some of them had black skin and some had yellow skin. The beautiful new club was in chaos.So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of ship- wrecks could be cleaned up before coming inside. At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Some members insisted upon lifesaving as their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a lifesaving station.But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast.They did and as the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a club and yet another lifesaving station was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that sea coast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore.Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown!’

60 Technology & Worship Technology can help worship in (at least) 3 ways.Music for accompaniment.ProjectionMicrophones and sound systems.Worship leaders may not need to operate these but need to have some understanding of the facilities offered by technology.Discovering God’s Kingdom. Growing the Church.

61 All Purpose Late 20th Century CreedAsideAll Purpose Late 20th Century Creed

62 I believe in my beliefs. it’s my belief that my beliefs Are truer far than your beliefs, And I believe that your beliefs Are threatening to my beliefs, So I’m defending my beliefs And all who hold the same beliefs Against your dangerous beliefs And who share your false beliefs Or what I think are your beliefs. And I will die for my beliefs; And you will die for my beliefs. And what, In fact are my beliefs Beyond the complicating reefsOf tedious theology And acid Ideology? The usual: a divine Creator Whose love rings earth like the Equator, Justice and the Rule of Law (And giving hand-outs to the poor); Respect, of course, for Mother Nature’s Care for every living creature, And that in the pursuit of Peace All wars (excepting mine) should cease.All Purpose Late 20th Century Creed — Simon Rae

64 Why it does not matter if you use carrotsAsideWhy it does not matter if you use carrotsOther Services you might be asked to do...Such as opening the pasty and mining festival!How do you make such an event worship and meaningful?

66 Three stories you can turn into mini dramasAsideThree stories you can turn into mini dramasTrees that PrayedIs there anyone else?What more Did you Want?

67 Different patterns of worshipMultiplexedLike a multiplexed cinemaDifferent styles in different parts e.g. perhaps traditional in church and contemporary in hallDo not expect the congregations to mix; the contemporary congregation will not migrate to the traditional.Discovering God’s Kingdom. Growing the Church.

68 Need to have a core time when all together.Pick and MixA range of activities over a longer period, arrive and leave when you want, allows a choiceeg. Breakfast at 10, All age Sunday at 10.30, All together worship at and hymns, reading, sermon atNeed to have a core time when all together.Discovering God’s Kingdom. Growing the Church.

69 Start off all together, probably for praise and adoration Liquid ChurchStart off all together, probably for praise and adorationThen at some point people have a choice maybe – traditional sermon, discussion group, dance, drama, meditativeThen come back together.Discovering God’s Kingdom. Growing the Church.

70 Café StyleUsually the congregation sit at tables, tea, coffee and snacks available, sometimes a meal is provided, people encouraged to move around, get another cup of coffee etc,Probably extra material/things for children to do on table.An informal/seeker style.Jesus knew food and faith mixed.

71 Messy ChurchOften mid-week and once a monthAimed at children and adultsThree stages: Lots of craft activities, with discussion points, leading into an act of worship, meal afterwards.Some churches now use this pattern on a Sunday.

72 Children’s ChurchChildren rarely join with adults in worship, complete act of worship, but at their level, some the same songs, but with different settings.

73 OED from OE ‘worthship’ – reverence or veneration paid to a being or power regarded as supernatural or divine; the action or practice displaying this by appropriate acts, rites or ceremonies.‘Worship in all its grades and kinds, is the response of the creature to the Eternal: nor need we limit this definition to the human sphere. There is a sense in which we may think of the whole life of the Universe, seen and unseen, conscious and unconscious, as an act of worship, glorifying its Origin, Sustainer, and End.’Evelyn Underhill: Worship, 1936

74 Worship …. always means God and the priority of God…We in our worshipping action are compelled to move within the devotional sphere, with all its symbolic furniture, its archaic survivals, its pitfalls, its risks of sentimentalism, herd-suggestion, and disguised self-interest p 6…..the prevenient God, Who is the cause and object of worship, comes to man and awakens him where he is…….Only in so far as man’s worship is thus firmly rooted in the concrete here-and-now of our common experience, and accepts the conditions imposed by that experience, will it retain its creaturely quality and develop its full richness and life-changing power p 15

75 Mark Earey: Liturgical Worship (2002) Worship = living for God worship = symbolic or representative worshipAmos 5: 23 – 24Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Romans 12: 1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.Worship and worship must not become disconnected. Is Evelyn Underhill making the same point?

77 You shall go out with joyEmYou shall go out with joy and be led forth, with peace.G D BmAnd the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you.There'll be shouts of joy and the trees of the fieldG D EmShall clap, shall clap their hands.G DAnd the trees of the, field shall clap their hands,GAnd the trees of the field shall clap their handsDAnd the trees of the field shall clap their hands,Bm EmAnd you'll go out with Joy,

78 Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace.D D6Make me a channel of your peace:D EmWhere there is hatred let me bring your love, A7 EmWhere there is injury, your pardon, Lord,A7 DAnd where there's doubt, true faith in you:G DO Master grant that I may never seek A7 D D7So much to be consoled as to console;G D To be understood as to understand, E E ATo be loved, as to love with all my soul!Make me a channel of your peace: Where there's despair in life let me bring hope, Where there is darkness, only light, And where there's sadness, ever joy:O Master grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand, To be loved, as to love with all my soul!Make me a channel of your peace: It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, In giving ourselves that we receive, And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

80 Not Now Nigel And other curious Illustrations.AsideNot Now Nigel And other curious Illustrations.

81 Not now Nigel The staffroom is for us; your place is in the playground(Or underneath a bus!)Not now, Nigel,I still feel quite unwell;And, furthermore, it’s home time —Off you go (saved by the bell).Not... now, Nigel,Though it’s nice of you to call.I’d love to ask you inBut there’s a wolf-hound in the hall.Not... now... Nigel,It’s really time for bed.My temperature is risingThere’s a drum inside my head.Tomorrow I’ll feel betterTomorrow wait and seeBut not now, Nigel.The nights belong to me!Not Now, Nigel – Allan Ahlberg Not now, Nigel, It’s only half-past eight. The school’s not really open — Your request will have to wait. Not now, Nigel, The register is due; Some dinner-money’s missing, And I’ve got a headache too. Not now, Nigel, Can’t you see I’m on my knees? We’re trying to find the hamster (And I think I’m going to sneeze). Not now, Nigel, I’d like to hear your news, But Alice isn’t well — She’s just been sick all on my shoes. Not now. Nigel, Claire’s bent her violin, I ought to take a tablet (And I need a double gin).